I have been studying world religions since I
was a child, taking courses in high school and university to try and
satisfy my interest and curiosity of things that bridged the Seen
and the Unseen world. I am familiar with Hindu Deities and have
always felt connected to some of them. Ganesha was the first Hindu
Deity to step forth for me, and did so during a healing session with
a client in 2013. Since that time, other Deities from religions have
done the same (which I am so grateful for!). I have come to understand that my role here as a
Lightworker & Spiritual
Warrior is to shine and shed light. I have written about it
previously. It wasn't until recently that
some more of the pieces came together.

Shiva, the Destroyer, is part of the Trinity
with Vishnu the Sustainer, and Brahma the Creator. Shiva destroys
evil and transforms to make way for rebirth and new life.Some key features in the depiction of Shiva include: third
eye, a Serpent (Kundalini), a Trident, drum, and Tiger skin. Shiva
"is said to protect his followers from greed, lust, and anger, as
well as the illusion and ignorance that stand in the way of divine
enlightenment." (Herring, 2017: 37).

Shiva has been with me for many years, running in the background, always
present, yet unnamed. It all started to unfold (and perhaps unravel)
at the beginning of my Yoga Teacher Training. There are so many synchronicities and overlap that led to
me my current awareness and naming of Shiva's energy that it would take
hours to cover. I am so grateful that I kept getting
confirmation in different ways (and still do). When I received my Spiritual name -
Shiva Gian - from Nirinjan Kaur, who shares the teachings of Yogi Bhajan
at the 3HO Foundation, I was very surprised, but I started
to understand and make the connections. In short, Shiva means to destroy
illusions and Gian means wisdom; I shed light on the social
illusions with the education and insight that I have, to show people
how to find the Truth within them.

It's something I've known
and done all my life.

My doctoral education as a Sociologist taught
me not only about the problematics of society (both on a meta and
micro scale), but also how to spot issues and see how these play out
for individuals. I see how ideologies take shape within people, and
how they manifest and express, which often leads to alienation,
depression, anxiety, and anger. Social conditioning - or
Socialization - is the root of our Spiritual alienation. I see this
in my clients, and I help them to see the layers of socialization we
carry, which isn't really who we truly are, that the world out there
is a fabricated reality to suit the needs of those in power. The
system is broken. So, I shed light on these problematic ideologies,
and seek to dismantle them - destroy them by illuminating them -
with truth and light.

I have done this throughout my lifetime in many
different ways, with the last six years focusing on energy
healing, empathic insights, and psychic mediumship. For me, Yoga is
another piece of the puzzle, another aspect of our holistic health
that offers solid tools to live in joy and flourish. It's provided me deeper understanding of my
medical intuitive gifts, and tuning one's awareness into the body
and what it's telling you. It has shown me how emotions and energy
can be held in the mind and body, which is helpful as an Empath. It
has helped my mental focus and meditation, which helped strengthen
my psychic mediumship. It's provided me more than I can put into
words at this time.

Yoga is a way of life that helps people in the
everyday world, in addition to helping Lightworkers, Spiritual
Warriors, Healers, Empaths, and Psychic Mediums - those who are here
to raise consciousness and show a different way of Being. It's all
connected. And so, I decided to name my studio
Shiva Gian
Yoga to honour all the synchronicities and symbolisms throughout my
lifetime, and to honour the Light that Shines bright within each of
Us. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali & the Eight Limbs of Yoga
act as a guide and a bridge within each of the Yoga Practices
offered.

Overcome the
'mind-stuff' - the socialized self that I would call the ego self
that gets in the way of our True Being. Chanting Om Namah Shivaya in
your Sadhana/daily Spiritual Practice (and throughout the day), reminds you to honour your
Self, and to remember who you are. You can also chant the Shiv
Gayatri Mantra: